How long is long enough - Official Pre-Fish

sTony · Post by **sTony** » Thu Feb 12, 2009 6:56 pm

Trying to find out how many days most guys want for an official prefish period before a Pro am tournament? If you fish these type of tournaments please answer this poll.

Thanks,

sTony

Schneider Fishing · Post by **Schneider Fishing** » Thu Feb 12, 2009 7:18 pm

Why have any?

Murph · Post by **Murph** » Thu Feb 12, 2009 7:42 pm

How about 1 day of Prefish, for every 100 miles you live from the lake in question.

Bill K · Post by **Bill K** » Thu Feb 12, 2009 7:48 pm

I kind of feel like more than one day of pre=fishing is beating the water up to much. At least that is my opinion. Bill K

hippie · Post by **hippie** » Thu Feb 12, 2009 7:55 pm

Looks like theres only going to be a northern weekend pro am circuit this year so for the south guys heading up thurs. fri.

MARK D. INMAN · Post by **MARK D. INMAN** » Thu Feb 12, 2009 8:57 pm

Why do you need to pre fish at all just show up and fish

Brian Ruthman · Post by **Brian Ruthman** » Thu Feb 12, 2009 8:59 pm

I think there should be No Pre-Fish days the week of the tourney , then i wouldnt have to listen to everyone telling me how they won Pre-Fish with some huge weight

, drop the boats in on Saturday and lets start fishing .

Jason C. · Post by **Jason C.** » Thu Feb 12, 2009 9:44 pm

I agree, I think there should be no pre-fish days the week before the tournament. If there HAS to be pre-fish period have it be 1 day and make it the Friday before the event.

drlahman · Post by **drlahman** » Thu Feb 12, 2009 11:08 pm

All this pre-fishing is doing nothing more then beating up the lake and tearing up the fish. Last fall up at Clearlake for a fun day of fishing. We boated 1/2 dozen or so fish, every dang one had numberous tears in their mouths. Real shame to see the fish in that condition.

some guy · Post by **some guy** » Fri Feb 13, 2009 6:38 am

drlahman wrote:All this pre-fishing is doing nothing more then beating up the lake and tearing up the fish. Last fall up at Clearlake for a fun day of fishing. We boated 1/2 dozen or so fish, every dang one had numberous tears in their mouths. Real shame to see the fish in that condition.

I knew the fish were dumber up there.

I say make it two. They are not mandatory guys. If you dont want to beat your fish up then don't go. Some guys who have never fished waters up there could use the two days. You can meter a lot in two days.

Murph · Post by **Murph** » Fri Feb 13, 2009 7:15 am

It's Pre-Fish, not Pre-Stick the Fish. If you have a 4 day Pre-Fish and you're out there sticking the Fish, then Shame on You. Some of us use this time to familiarize ourselves with a New Body of Water and all of it's arms, tributaries, Tree lines and what not.

keithcant · Post by **keithcant** » Fri Feb 13, 2009 7:22 am

Murph wrote:It's Pre-Fish, not Pre-Stick the Fish. If you have a 4 day Pre-Fish and you're out there sticking the Fish, then Shame on You. Some of us use this time to familiarize ourselves with a New Body of Water and all of it's arms, tributaries, Tree lines and what not.

Finally, one guy w/ a clue!!You're absolutely right Murph.

Ricky-S · Post by **Ricky-S** » Fri Feb 13, 2009 8:01 am

It easy for some of use to say no prefish because we have fished these lakes in every season and water level.

With that said I would vote for no prefish.

TWinger · Post by **TWinger** » Fri Feb 13, 2009 8:36 am

I agree with the no prefish days. It levels the playing field to finding the fish and a pattern for the event on day one and locking it in on day two. It does not stop those who may call someone local to get ahead of the rest, but it is the best that can be done.

Gary Dobyns · Post by **Gary Dobyns** » Fri Feb 13, 2009 8:38 am

an advisory group stuck on. Trying to make the right "guess". The guys from down south want 2 days as they will not be able to make it the week-end before, as many will in the north state. I'm torn myself, I like the two days, but I think one practice day saves a lot of aggressive fish for the weekend and saves anglers vacation time and $$$$. Your thoughts please.

Cesar L · Post by **Cesar L** » Fri Feb 13, 2009 8:54 am

1 day of pre fish save the vacation and $$$$

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Feb 13, 2009 9:15 am

Schneider Fishing wrote:Why have any?

I agree.. why have any in the first place. Not quite sure how it can be a "working man's tournament" when most people have to work on Friday's.

Show up, fish and figure out who is the best that day or that weekend. Even's the playing field for everyone.

Marty · Post by **Marty** » Fri Feb 13, 2009 9:30 am

Gary I have two thoughts on the issue of pre-fishing or I should say off limits.

A tournament is a contest to see who is the best angler and that is determined by the Angler obtaining a limit that weights more then anotherâ€™s limits. The challenge should not be about the ones that found fish before the day of the competition and then going to that location the day of the event. The challenge is to find the fish, the best bait, the best pattern, and obtain the best limit on the day of the event.

With that said the Anglers that never fished the lake do need some time to familiarize themselves with the lake. (but I donâ€™t understand a Pro fishing at that level not every fishing the lake before).

But to answer the issue â€“ I would have one day familiarization where the boats are allowed on the lake but canâ€™t fish â€“ no rods on deck! This answers both sides of the issue.

DAN · Post by **DAN** » Fri Feb 13, 2009 10:06 am

1 day of pre fish off by 2pm Then let's rock and roll!

Tim Quilon · Post by **Tim Quilon** » Fri Feb 13, 2009 10:22 am

Vince Borrego wrote:
Schneider Fishing wrote:Why have any?
I agree.. why have any in the first place. Not quite sure how it can be a "working man's tournament" when most people have to work on Friday's.

Show up, fish and figure out who is the best that day or that weekend. Even's the playing field for everyone.

+1
Also make it off-limits for two weeks prior. That would make it an even playing field for sure.

Rob Wenning · Post by **Rob Wenning** » Fri Feb 13, 2009 10:28 am

I donâ€™t think there should be an off limits prior to a tournament. With the schedules and work requirements today, these dates prior to a tournament are often the only time one may have to get on the water before a tournament. As noted by an earlier post, if you do not manage your pre-fish and stick every fish that picks up your bait, â€œShame on youâ€

Hardshell · Post by **Hardshell** » Fri Feb 13, 2009 10:33 am

Sure, sure one day! Now that I'm retired

and can pre-fish they all want one day

! I've always been a proponent of an off-limits period but one day pre-fish period anit enough. My vote is for Thurs-Fri(off lake by 3pm on Friday) prefish and two weeks prior off limits.

Hardshell

Tobe · Post by **Tobe** » Fri Feb 13, 2009 10:37 am

Maybe a 1 1/2 days might satisfy everyone.

Thursday all day and Friday be off the water by 12:00 or 1:00pm
This would pressure the fish less and give anglers plenty of time to get their stuff ready before the angles meeting Friday night.
The guys saving vacation time will still get some practice in.

Robert F · Post by **Robert F** » Fri Feb 13, 2009 10:48 am

Tim Quilon wrote:
Vince Borrego wrote:
Schneider Fishing wrote:Why have any?
I agree.. why have any in the first place. Not quite sure how it can be a "working man's tournament" when most people have to work on Friday's.

Show up, fish and figure out who is the best that day or that weekend. Even's the playing field for everyone.
+1
Also make it off-limits for two weeks prior. That would make it an even playing field for sure.

Why hold it up at two weeks. Make it a month. That will take out the local edge. None of you locals can tell me that there will not be a bunch of guys out there the weekend before off-limits. If you are trying to make a "working mans" event why are you concerned that a guy from San Diego should be able to get a two day look at the Delta? Pre-fishing one week before is just like fishing two days before. Fishing will change little. The only loser will be a person unable to travel 600 miles to pre-fish before the cut-off.

Dave A · Post by **Dave A** » Fri Feb 13, 2009 11:03 am

One day is sufficient. I'm even cool with no pre-fish. This will level the playing field and allow those with families to actually use some vacation time to spend with the wife and kids.

CN · Post by CN » Fri Feb 13, 2009 12:49 pm

No pre-fishing at all from Monday prior to the weekend of the event.

That's how it was when I fished tournament's.Granted that's been a long time but if you want more guy's to participate I think it's something you really should look at Gary.

Most of the team's that win are better fisherman than guy's like me and probably will be in the top pre-fish or not.So we figure if they are pre-fishing that's just another reason that we feel there's no chance for us to do very well.

Myself it's not about winning money I'm fortunate enough where I can afford the entry fee's I just want to be able to have a chance at doing well and if these guy's are pre-fishing a week or two before it just make's me think never mind.

As far as the guy's that have to travel long distance's and never fished a certain Lake well maybe they should be able to but then that would not be fair to the other's either.

No pre-fish

Mike Nance

Mitch · Post by **Mitch** » Fri Feb 13, 2009 12:54 pm

I agree with Hardshell wholeheartedly. Pre-fish is designed to learn the lake at that peticular time, where the better fish are, what they'll eat, etc, etc. Any one who goes out and lands every fish they can is not using the pre-fish properly. I know a lot of guys who have caught more in pre-fish than the event. Also, the off limits needs to be in place to give everyone a more even field. It keeps the "retiered" guys from camping out for 2 weeks before the event when the working guy can only get there for the pre-fish.

kopper_bass · Post by **kopper_bass** » Fri Feb 13, 2009 12:59 pm

Gary & Tony,
As with anything, you are never going to get the perfect answer here. Some are going to be pleased, while others dissapointed. I applaud that you are asking "us" what we want, but at the end of the day, your going to get 100 different answers.

The key to solving this issue is to prioritize what your goals are for the tournament circuit first and clearly define those priorities. Once you have these well defined in your minds, you can then evaluate all your "off limits" options and identify which best supports your goals.

A big example to me is to decide which is more important, equality among all competitors (long off limits, 2 days of pre-fish) vs. trying to fit mostly the "weekend only" fisherman (leave previous weekend available, then nobody fishes until the tourney).

Personally, i dont see any reason for 2 days of pre-fishing right before the event, if you leave the weekend before open to pre-fishing. that's 4 days out of 7 that guys could be fishing, who can afford the time off and are available. It not only gives an advantage, but it sets a high cost value too for those trying to match that advantage.

Given that its supposed to be a moderate challenge circuit, with low cost, and equal competition; i think that having the weekend before to pre-fish and then 5 days off limits, where we just show up Sat and start fishing; is the best compromise for most everyone.

A few guys are still going to be left out if they are traveling long distance and cant come the weekend before to pre-fish, but that number is low overall, compared to those that will be left out if there is pre-fishing opportunities during the week when most everyone cannot afford days off from work right now. that would leave a much larger group with a dis-advantage and make it a circuit that is not equal righ now.

i vote for weekend only pre-fish, then 5 days off limits.

Kopper

Tobe · Post by **Tobe** » Fri Feb 13, 2009 1:30 pm

Robert F wrote: Why hold it up at two weeks. Make it a month. That will take out the local edge. None of you locals can tell me that there will not be a bunch of guys out there the weekend before off-limits. If you are trying to make a "working mans" event why are you concerned that a guy from San Diego should be able to get a two day look at the Delta? Pre-fishing one week before is just like fishing two days before. Fishing will change little. The only loser will be a person unable to travel 600 miles to pre-fish before the cut-off.

Robert, no organization is going to get away with keeping guys off the water for a month, there are too many team tournaments going on up here for that to happen.

Zero, One or two days is fine with me so long as everyone is playing by the same rules, as far as the off-limits go, I think the Monday before the tournament is perfect.

Robert F · Post by **Robert F** » Fri Feb 13, 2009 2:36 pm

Exactly. The one month comment is just making a point of the inequity in a no pre-fish. Out of towners are the only guys that lose with the no pre-fish. Some guys mentioned the cost of fishing during the week. Can you imagine how much it will cost me to come up the weekend before and prefish wth everyone else then sit in a hotel for a week or go home and come back?

hippie · Post by **hippie** » Fri Feb 13, 2009 2:39 pm

Well if you figure friday is the partner pairing, most anglers have to get off the water early to get there boats situated for tourny day. Guys coming from the south should get thurs. and 1/2 day on fri. I bet you Northern guys would want it if you were fishing Lake POWELL its a day trip to make it to the DELTA, CLEAR LAKE and most guys from the south don't need the extra cost of prefishing the weekend before taking fri, sat, sunday. LEave RIVERSIDE WED. after work sleep a couple hours at the launch ramp Pre fish all day thurs. g3et off water check into motel pre fish 1/2 day fri and then get ready to take some northern boys money.

drlahman · Post by **drlahman** » Fri Feb 13, 2009 4:22 pm

Another thing to consider is local relations. Its hard enough dealing with some locals that think they own a lake and putting more pressure on them is not going to make matters better.

Ricky-S · Post by **Ricky-S** » Fri Feb 13, 2009 4:27 pm

I'm from Southern Cal and I would prefer one day or no prefish at all. Show up, fish the derby and the best angler wins.

We will never make everyone happy and there is no such thing as an EVEN PLAYING FIELD! Get over it!

Nothing will ever be level. We all have different equipment, finances, experience, backgrounds, help from other anglers and friends (networks), etc, etc, etc.

I realized a long time ago that things would never be EVEN and got over it. Don't hate the player hate the game. There are guys out there that have better prefishes from the shore than most of us will ever experience on the water-so what.

Brian Ruthman · Post by **Brian Ruthman** » Fri Feb 13, 2009 5:05 pm

How about instead of "Pre-Fish" where you catch them , how about "Pre-View" where you can ride around and check out the lake can on Friday for half the day , but no fishing just riding around checking the lake out so your familiar with it .

I would like to have the pairing up done earlier in the day so i can get all my stuff ready and go to bed early that would be good .
I have to get my sleep in so i can run to the front of the boat as fast as Ricky , i dont want to be at a disadvantage .

basstrophy · Post by **basstrophy** » Fri Feb 13, 2009 5:16 pm

Off limits from Monday to Wednesday before the tournament. Thursday pratice, Friday half day with check in between 12:00 noon to 1:00 PM with partner pairing at 2:00 PM.

This way everyone can still head to the bait shops get what they need for the next few days. Plus you can rest before dinner then get to bed early.

Or off limits Monday through Friday before tournament weekend. With check in at 12:00 noon to 1:00 PM with partner pairing at 2:00.

Keep IT Wet

Murph · Post by **Murph** » Fri Feb 13, 2009 6:40 pm

Basstrophy brings up a good point, kind of. Maybe the local bait shops should have a say in this matter. I'll guarantee that they love having us up there for a few days extra. I can remember standing in line at Phil's for the Shasta event. Just a thought. And Hippie brings up another good point about Powell. If we do away with the Pre-fish, Please oh Please, bring an event to Powell with out any Pre-Fish! !

Guy Kelley · Post by **Guy Kelley** » Fri Feb 13, 2009 7:28 pm

Brian Ruthman wrote:How about instead of "Pre-Fish" where you catch them , how about "Pre-View" where you can ride around and check out the lake can on Friday for half the day , but no fishing just riding around checking the lake out so your familiar with it .
I would like to have the pairing up done earlier in the day so i can get all my stuff ready and go to bed early that would be good .
I have to get my sleep in so i can run to the front of the boat as fast as Ricky , i dont want to be at a disadvantage .

Brian & Marty I think called the closest to my idea of a perfect pre-fish that evens the playing field for all. The weekend before the event, Practice session open to all. Two days before Sat & Sun Tournament (Thurs & Fri ) on the water with no rods allowed just cams and electronics.

If ya want to be more familure with strange waters, for those who can or want to the lake or river is open about 365 days a year before the event so whats stopping ya?

TheFLY · Post by **TheFLY** » Sat Feb 14, 2009 8:32 am

Remember, the concept on this event is to be "different". One day is plenty. I'd have voted for ZERO days if that were an option. For guys that want to take multiple days off and fish most of the week, STREN and FLW fit that mold.

-Craig Gottwals

Schneider Fishing · Post by **Schneider Fishing** » Sat Feb 14, 2009 9:51 am

IMHO;
This is really an off limits question. Everyday on the water is a pre-fish day of some sort.

If it is a pro or a pro-team tournament then there should be no off limits. You're a pro!! You know if you're beating your fish up or not.

If it is a working man's (weekend warrior) event then the lake should be off-limits Monday through Friday for a week or TWO prior to the tournament.

Now here's another idea that's worth what you paid for it. Nothing!! LOL!!
Why not have Pro Team tournaments and Am Team Tournaments and Pro/AM draw tournaments on the same lake on the same day. Different set of entry fees. Different off-limit rules. Let's face it, it doesn't require any more/less staff to weigh the fish and the computer can sort out the rest. Best bang for the buck (permit, sponsors, draw, etc.).

tfranceschi · Post by **tfranceschi** » Sat Feb 14, 2009 11:00 am

I vote for Monday through Friday off limits. No pre-fish.

Gary Dobyns · Post by **Gary Dobyns** » Sat Feb 14, 2009 11:38 am

As fishermen everyone has their own ideas. ( This is great, I like that) This poll was put up because as a group we did not have a good idea what was best for the fishermen. I klnow what's best for Gary. I can set my schedule up and pre-fish for a week. The off-limits is something I think we need. Why? It will even out the field "some". A better event with more fish caught "possibly". It definitely saves guys money and vacation days. I "think" it will get more numbers into the event, as guys think it's overall more "fair" if they get the same amount of practice time.

Here is the problem. Many guys down south "say" they are coming to support the events if they get 2 practice days. They feel they need 2 days on the water. They hardly ever see this water up north and they need 2 days. I have to agree with the guys traveling a long ways.

I do not know the out come of this poll, but it has stayed neck and neck through out.

I figure we will have 2 practice days. Some guys will only fish one of these and a few with just show up for the event. It will cost Angler's Chioce, fewer fishermen to do 2 days of practice and probably will increase numbers.

PLEASE don't be pissed if this was not your chioce, it wasn't mine either. It will be a decision for what "we" think is the best all around.

I am the worst typist on this advisory board (by far), where are the rest of you pric** hiding

.

Smitty · Post by **Smitty** » Sat Feb 14, 2009 12:08 pm

Gary,
I think you hit the nail on the head concerning number of participants. That is the only issue that should be considered. I appreciate looking for our input but as evidenced by the split in votes and subsequent posts we are not much help.
Some are always going to have an advantage. I like your version of no off limits at all but, if it helps the draw, so be it.
Smitty

Murph · Post by **Murph** » Sat Feb 14, 2009 9:03 pm

So the way I see it, you set up a 2 day practice. This way the ones that need or want the practice, Use It! The ones that are familiar with this particular body of water, or, are real confident in their abilities stay home and save their vacation time. Kind of a No Brainer. If you're a "No Pre-Fish Fan" , Stay off the Lake and let the guys that need it, utilize it. It seems pretty simple to me. The Lake doesn't get beat up as bad. I know that in the past, every time that I've been to an event for, let's say a 4 day pre-fish, the whole gang has been there every day. So it's kind of, Put Up, or Shut Up!

toadhunter · Post by **toadhunter** » Sat Feb 14, 2009 10:21 pm

Yea Guys! I just read this whole thread top to bottom. Nobody got their pannies in a bunch, no rock throwing, just good ol fastioned input.

With the economy the way it is we have to have this kinda mentality and have each others back. We all (or most all, lol) are type A, competitive SOB's. Basically, we are bad a**es or at least think we are. We can accomplish so much if we just put our minds to it and figure out what is BEST for the WHOLE of US.

I think this circuit Gary and partners are putting together have the potenial to be something we have been dreaming of.

As for the poll, I vote weekend before pre-fish and the rest of the week off limits.

BASS FISHERMAN RULE!

Tom Nieto

Stratos278 · Post by **Stratos278** » Sun Feb 15, 2009 10:16 pm

In my opinion, the off-limits period should be Monday thru Wednesday prior, pre-fish Thursday and Friday (off the water by noon on Friday). I kinda like Marty's no-rod proposal too.

Here is my reasoning for having an off-limits on Mon-Wed only, something that may not have been taken into consideration before. If there are tournaments on consecutive week-ends on the same water, if the off-limits period is any longer (to include the week-end prior) then one could be DQ'd from the second tourney if he fished the first. This would force a choice of which one to fish. "Do I fish the first one and skip the second one, or do I skip the first (a club tourney where I might be in the AOY running, for example) and fish the second (where I might pick up a check)"

Not that either scenario applies to me,...

How long should official pre-fish be for a pro-am tournament?

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